She won the nation's heart with her enthusiasm and determination in the face of less-than-perfect dance moves.

And now Ann Widdecombe has vowed to continue competing in Strictly Come Dancing, despite the judges' desire for her to retire from the show.

Len Goodman, the senior judge, said: "The joke's over now. I know the British love an underdog and to back the one who's struggling. But we should get to a point where fairness and justice overtake that."

However the 63-year-old former MP, who relies heavily on the public vote, believes she is providing the ultimate "family entertainment" for a Saturday night.

She said: "I'm having the time of my life. When I retired from the Commons and realised I wasn't going to the Lords, I thought: 'This is it, I'm going to cut completely and I'm going to have fun' And I've never had so much fun."